BAE SYSTEMS Processors Travel Aboard Messenger To Mercury
31 Aug 2004
MANASSAS, Virginia, USA. -- BAE Systems radiation-hardened RAD6000 computers and solid state recorder assemblies headed for the planet Mercury August 3.
The successful Delta II rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, marked the beginning of a 4.9-billion-mile, 6.5-year journey to Mercury. The spacecraft MESSENGER will study the planets geologic history and overall structure.
NASA and Johns Hopkins University scientists are trying to understand the formation of Earth and other planets. Our RAD6000s and solid state recorders will support that mission," said Laura Burcin, BAE Systems MESSENGER program manager.
BAE Systems' Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) builds the RAD6000 high-performance 32-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) that operates in the heavily radiated space environment. The RAD6000 is based on the IBM RISC Single Chip (RSC) architecture. BAE Systems computers and recorders provide on-board computing and data storage for the instruments and spacecraft control functions aboard MESSENGER.
MESSENGER is set to become the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury. Following a route that includes two fly-bys of Venus, MESSENGER should reach Mercury by March 2011. During its year-long orbit, MESSENGER will provide the first images of the entire planet and collect detailed information on the composition and structure of Mercurys crust, its geologic history, the nature of its thin atmosphere, active earth-like magnetosphere, and the makeup of its core and polar materials.
The RAD6000 is one of a family of radiation-hardened protected computers developed and produced by BAE Systems in Manassas, Virginia, with the support of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. BAE Systems' microprocessors are also aboard two of NASAs most successful missions this year. The Mars Rovers Opportunity and Spirit, which landed on the Red Planet in January, carried the RAD6000; and the Cassini spacecraft, which entered Saturns orbit June 30, was guided by the Advanced Spaceborne Computer Module. The newest member of the processor family, the RAD750, will be used on the Deep Impact mission slated to launch later this year.
About BAE SYSTEMS North America:
BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom.
The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.
BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems employs 6,900 people at 13 major facilities in eight states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. IEWS provides products and services in four major lines of business: Electronic Warfare/Electronic Protection, Electronic Warfare/Information Warfare, Integrated Defence Solutions, and Mission Electronics.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
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